CV
Virva Svala
b. 1977, Haapajärvi, Finland
ART EDUCATION
2009
M.A. (Art & Design), University of Art and Design Helsinki, Department of Art Education
(Advanced studies in painting)
2014–2017
Open Art School
2010–2014
Pilot Programme for Art-Based Education, Helsinki Artists’ Association
OTHER EDUCATION
2025
M.Sc., University of Helsinki, Computer Science
2012
Otava Folk High School, Audiovisual Communication, Web Production
2003
M.Ed., University of Oulu, Teacher Education
1996
Matriculation Examination, Nivala Upper Secondary School
FINE ART COURSES
2016
Short course in watercolor painting, Annala Garden, Helsinki Art Association
2009–2014
Advanced oil painting course, Helsinki Artists’ Association
2013
“Paint the Sea” watercolor course, Helsinki Artists’ Association summer course, Suomenlinna
2013, 2011, 2010
Winter and summer workshops in metal graphics, Helsinki Artists’ Association
2012
“120 kg of Letters” printmaking course, Espoo Printmaking Workshop IIKKA
2012
Short course in Sumi painting
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Secret Garden, Gallery Herné, Helsinki
2016
Mythical Nature, Europa Hall, Helsinki
2014
Urban Animals, Jade Gallery, Helsinki
2014
Nocturnal Helsinki, Café Bar 9, Helsinki
2008
Migratory Bird, Degree Exhibition, University of Art and Design Helsinki, Lume Media Centre Gallery, Helsinki
GROUP AND JOINT EXHIBITIONS
2025
New Images of the Land 2025, Juried Exhibition of the Uusimaa Visual Artists’ Associations (UKJ), Dance Pavilion of Meilahti Manor, Helsinki
2025
Book Fair, Helsinki Art Association stand, Helsinki
2025
Habitare, Helsinki Art Association stand, Helsinki
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Konstrundan, Open Studio Event and Joint Studio Exhibition, Art Space viiiiis, Helsinki
2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015
Annual Exhibition of the Helsinki Art Association, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2025
25 × 25 Art, Group Exhibition of the Helsinki Art Association, Gallery ARTFRIDA, Helsinki
2022
Back to the Roots, Ars Kärsämäki 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Taidetalo Nahkuri, Kärsämäki
2019
Traces of a Dream, Group Exhibition of the Helsinki Art Association, Taito Gallery, Helsinki
2018
Imaginations, Group Exhibition of the Helsinki Art Association, Gallery Albert IX, Helsinki
2017
Group Exhibition of the Helsinki Art Association, Jorvi Hospital Corridor Gallery, Helsinki
2016
Honoured by Time, Gallery 4-KUUS, Helsinki
2016
Perspectives on Europe, me7 Group, Europa Hall, Helsinki
2015
ME 11: East and Other Wonders, Gallery Kolmas Kerros
2014
∞ Exhibition of Advanced Oil Painting Course Students, Corridor Gallery, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2014
Traces, Graduation Exhibition of Pilot A & B Students, HTS Course Centre, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2013
October Exhibition of Pilot A & B Students, Cable Factory Corridor Gallery, Helsinki
2012
Spring Exhibition of the Helsinki Artists’ Association Art School, HTS Course Centre, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2011
Self-Portrait – Fantasy at the Theatre Museum, Photography Exhibition of the Helsinki Artists’ Association PILOTTI Group, Theatre Museum, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2009
Christmas Exhibition of the Helsinki Artists’ Association Art School, HTS Facilities, Cable Factory, Helsinki
2009
Art Summer at Atelier Home Villa Havu II, Kärsämäki
2009
Spring Exhibition of the Helsinki Artists’ Association Oil Painting Course, Ruoholahti Metro Station, Helsinki
2008
In Front of the Image, Gallery Atski, Helsinki – Spring Exhibition of the “In Front of the Image” course, University of Art and Design Helsinki
2008
A MORE LIVING HUMAN BEING – The Identity of an Art Educator, Gallery Elintila, Helsinki, Group Exhibition produced in the Didactics course of the Department of Art Education
2006
Ah’ne4, Annantalo, Helsinki. Fourth annual joint exhibition of students from the Department of Art Education, University of Art and Design Helsinki, and the Department of Art, Tallinn University
2005
Ah’ne3, Haapsalu, Estonia
2005
vesiVOIMAA, Electricity Building, Helsinki. Group Exhibition of the Tempera and Oil Painting Course, University of Art and Design Helsinki